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The GIUK's gap Geopolitical Importance
Prášil, Matěj ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
The following thesis is focusing on the geopolitical as well as geostrategic significance of the GIUK Gap. In addition to an overview of the realist theories of international relations used in the analysis as such, the thesis includes a section devoted to the historical development of the geopolitical and geostrategic significance of the GIUK Gap, but above all an analysis of the current geopolitical and geostrategic significance of the once mentioned specific North Atlantic region. The analysis of the current geopolitical situation is written with an emphasis on the increasing importance of the area for NATO and the Russian Federation, whose interests have increasingly clashed in recent years, not only in this region. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate a causal relationship between the generally deteriorating relations between NATO and the Russian Federation following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the growing importance of the GIUK Gap.
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The geopolitical interests of Ukraine in the modern system of international relations
Bryn, Andriy ; Hnízdo, Bořivoj (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
This thesis focuses on the analysis of contemporary trends in the geopolitics of Ukraine by highlighting major periods in the formations of its geopolitics, geopolitical interests of Ukraine in the relations with strategic partners, and assessing eventual development of Ukraine's geopolitics with a special emphasis on the cooperation within global universal international organizations such as the United Nations. The research applies an analysis of history of Ukraine's geopolitics in order to promote a better understanding of recent trends in the country's foreign policy and its geopolitical interests, analyze the relations of Ukraine with its strategic partners, including the United States, countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and provide an assessment for the future of Ukraine's geopolitics. In this regard, the study argues that the Ukraine's geopolitics and its interests are determined by the large scale of factors, which derive from historical, socio-cultural, geographic, political and economic specifics of Ukraine. Based on the analysis of the main trends in the modern Ukraine's geopolitics, assessment of Ukraine's geopolitical potential and the current global geopolitical situation, the thesis concludes that...
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Political and Economic Reasons for Energy Cooperation between the EU and Russia
Evgrafova, Elena ; Svoboda, Karel (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
In this paper I investigate the energy cooperation between the EU and Russia from the political and economic points of view. The relevance of the issue is due to the growing role of energy sector, the need for security of energy supply and demand and for political and economic balance of power in the region, and closer economic integration. Two theoretical approaches, geopolitical and bureaucratic, guiding the research, explain the behavior of protagonists. To better understand the present level of cooperation I analyze the background and dynamics of EU - Russia energy trade relations. As a case study, I investigate the Nord Stream project as an example of successful cooperation of Germany as an EU member state and Russia in this field. I discuss challenges for the healthy mutual partnership in the energy sector, namely, high politicization of the issue, monopolization of Russian energy sector and low sustainability of Russian economic development, and mistrust between the protagonists. I attempt to identify possible policy changes aimed to improve this cooperation and achieve fruitful partnership, security and stability. Key words: Russia, EU, energy, cooperation, Realpolitik, international relations, oil, gas, energy dialogue, ECT, security, balance of power, geopolitics, interest groups,...
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Transformation of geopolitical importance of Arctic Ocean due to climate change.
Doboš, Bohumil ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Plechanovová, Běla (referee)
Work describes and predicts future development in geopolitical situation in the region of the Arctic Ocean. Problematic is covered with regard to melting of the Arctic iceberg leading to access of mineral resources under the sea floor, as well as to opening of so-called Northern Route as the shortest sea route between Far East and European markets. Thesis is a case study, which creates the most probable development in the region and its conflict potential based on study of available sources. Specific points covered in the text are, after geographically limiting the area and summing up the historical process, problematic of peak oil and sketching probability of melting of the Arctic iceberg. Second part covers the question of recovering of the mineral resources in the area - oil and natural gas as the most important. It also deals with dependence of the countries in the area on the drilling and with impacts of the possible drilling in the Arctic Ocean on the situation inside these countries. Last topic covered in this part are tools a conventions of the sea law dealing with setting of so-called Exclusive economic zones and technical difficulties of the mining process. Third part covers topic of availability of Northern Route and North-west Passage and their fallout on the trade between Far East and Europe...
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Uzbekistan's Foreign Policy (2001-2012): The Pendulum Diplomacy between the US and Russia
Lídl, Václav ; Šír, Jan (advisor) ; Horák, Slavomír (referee)
This diploma thesis deals with the creation of Uzbekistan's foreign policy. It attempts to answer three main research questions: What were the chief goals of Tashkent's foreign policy? What were the factors that influenced the creation of Uzbekistan's foreign policy? Which factors and causes played the decisive role in the case of Uzbekistan's most significant foreign policy turnovers in 2001, 2005 and 2012? It claims the principal aims of Uzbekistan's foreign policy were threefold. Firstly, it was the preservation of Uzbekistan's independence. Secondly, it was the strengthening and securing of Karimov's regime. Finally, it was the attempt to become the regional leader in Central Asia. Subsequently, the study maintains that the foreign policy formulation was altered by four processes or challenges which the regime in Tashkent had to cope with. These were namely the challenge of geopolitical position, establishing of a viable political system, transforming the command economy, and the threat of radical or political Islam. Uzbekistan's pendulum diplomacy between the US and Russia is a new term coined for the purposes of this study. I argue that Tashkent was prone to change abruptly its strategic partner in order to secure its three strategic imperatives. Hence, there occurred three turnovers of...
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Analysis of relations of the South Caucasus countries
Makovský, Pavel ; Jelen, Libor (advisor) ; Uchočová, Michaela (referee)
Pavel Makovský: Analýza vztahů jihokavkazských států Abstrakt The South Caucasus is very heterogeneous and dynamic region. In the area are conflicts not only between Christianity and Islam, but also major geopolitical actors. The world power is interested in this area thanks to exploitation of oil, natural gas and pipeline from Azerbaijan. The main aim of the bachelor thesis is to analyze the interrelationships of all three states, which is based on principles of liberal-idealist tradition. This thesis is focused on the economic power and interdependence of foreign trade, the intensity and the results of international meetings of politicians or the involvement of transnational institutions and their benefits. Each state takes to its neighbors totally different attitude and because of it are the resulting relationships quite different. Diversity of these states encourages orientation on the superpowers and institutions. These interests puts their potential partners against each other. Instability of the region confirms the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is still actual, because there were mutual armed clashes even in April 2016. Keywords: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, South Caucasus, liberal-idealist tradition of international relations, geopolitics
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Geopolitical impact of China's search for energy on the Indian Ocean and South China Sea
Rodd, William ; Hrishabh, Sandilya (advisor) ; Riegl, Martin (referee)
This thesis examines the geopolitical consequences of China's search for energy resources on the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. It provides a brief outline of the energy situation of the world as a whole, specifically how it is becoming a more globalized and singular market. This change is occurring at the same time as a pronounced shift away from the traditional measurements of 'power' towards 'softer' more subtle definitions. There is a brief section outlining the geopolitical teachings of Alfred T. Mahan, specifically how he advocated seapower primarily for the purpose of providing the stability and security necessary for trade. Chinese analysts have been embracing the teachings of Mahan, but also interpreting them in a way that justifies the naval buildup Beijing has been embarking on in recent years. The paper briefly looks at the potential sources that China could turn to meet its energy needs, but concludes that it will have to rely on oil for the foreseeable future. It then attempts to define overall Chinese interests, specifically how nearly all of these relate somehow to energy security, thus underlining the importance of this topic to leaders in Beijing. The last half of the work delves into a geopolitical analysis of the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, and how militarization in the...
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Russia's role in the development of the 21st century gas sector: economic and geopolitical perspective
Akhmatulin, Artem ; Žídková, Markéta (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
This thesis focuses on the analysis of contemporary trends in the global gas sector by highlighting major milestones in the relationship between energy 'producer' and 'consumer' states, and assessing eventual development of the gas sector with a special emphasis on Transnational Corporations. The research applies a SWOT analysis (the assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of the Russian gas sector in order to promote a greater understanding of recent trends in the country's gas market, analyze its impact on the global gas industry, and provide an assessment for the future of the country's energy sector. In this regard, the study argues that the Russian gas sector is determined by the large scale of the country's territory, the dominance of gas in the fuel balance of the country, unstable economy of the gas industry, and emerging trends of the scarcity of gas. Based on the analysis of opportunities and challenges of creating a 'gas OPEC', the study concludes that there are prospects for a creation of such an organization in the long-run, due to growing gas demand. However, the thesis argues that in order for Russia to become a potential member of such an organization and promote further development of the country's gas sector, there is a need to diversify its gas supplies,...
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